To read or not to read? A Cozy Mystery

Sutherland Shire Libraries
Friday, April 26, 2013

The author of this book has written more than 40 books. This book is the first in an ongoing series. It is set in Melbourne, Australia in the 1920's, introducing Australia's most elegant, and irrepressible sleuth. Gorgeous, charming and terribly fashionable, she is also the star of her own television series...Read these opening paragraphs to decide whether to read or not to read this book...

The glass over the French window shattered. The guests screamed. Over the general exclamation could be heard the shrill shriek of Madam St Clair, wife of the ambassador 'Ciel! Mes Bijoux!' Phryne Fisher stood quietly and groped for a cigarette lighter. So far the evening had been tedious. After the strenuous preparations for what was admittedly the social event of the year, the dinner had been a culinary masterpiece-but the conversation had been boring. She had been placed between a retired Indian Colonel and an amateur cricketer. The Colonel had confined himself to a few suitable comments on the food but Bobby could recite his bowling figures for each country match for two years-and did. Then the lights had gone out and the window had smashed. Anything that interrupted the Wisden of the Country House matches was a good thing, thought Phryne and found a lighter. The scene revealed in the flickering light was confused. The young women who usually screamed were screaming. Phryne's father was bellowing at Phryne's mother. This too, was normal. Several gentlemen had struck matches and one had pulled the bell. Phryne pushed her way to the door and slipped into the front hall where the fuse box door hung open, and pulled down the switch marked 'main'. A flood of light restored everyone except the most gin-soaked to their senses. And Madam St Clair, clutching melodramatically at her throat, found that her diamond necklace, reputed to contain some of the stones from the Tsarina's collar, was gone. Her scream outstripped all previous efforts. To keep reading this book request it from the Library now!